A/N: I think this chapter fell off the rails a bit. There is one chapter left after this. I'll post it after editing, which will likely occur in the next week or two.
During lunch, Harry ate quietly at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, contemplating his situation and trying to compose a note to Daphne. Unfortunately, he didn't get far because he kept fixating on his terrible morning. All he had written after 15 minutes were poorly worded versions of "I'm sorry for hurting your feelings", which he knew was a pathetic apology. She was in the Great Hall, but he couldn't bear to look at her. Harry simply sat there brooding about his life.
The rumors about him and Daphne Greengrass kept increasing in number and absurdity as the morning had progressed. Harry was mystified by how anyone could have connected them together for any reason and was sure Daphne would not have said anything about the altercation in the empty hospital wing. He was thinking back on yesterday evening and remembered that Madam Pomfrey mentioned another student being there! "Idiot," he growled at himself through gritted teeth for his continued carelessness.
As expected, the day was filled with tension. Even without the swirling rumors about Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass, students had prepared for Quidditch-related drama and they got it. The pre-match gamesmanship between Gryffindors and Slytherins, who were casting spells and hurling insults at each other, was running rampant throughout the castle. The Quidditch players were the prime targets, especially Harry, who had been subjected to all manner of jinxes, hexes, and curses throughout the day. Unfortunately, Harry was targeted significantly more than usual due to a vindictive old friend, the Hogwarts rumor mill. If it weren't for the constant bodyguards, then he definitely would have ended up in the hospital wing due to that cruel rumor mill.
There were always eyes on him - on Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived. The looks in these eyes were always a mix of anxiety or curiosity or adoration or desire or greed or malice. All those and a lot of other things he wanted no part of. People were always wondering who he was, what he got up to, and what he was capable of doing. There was a mystique around the Boy-Who-Lived and that created the foundation on which the Daphne Greengrass rumors of today could grow and morph into fantastical and insane narratives about poor Harry Potter.
Some rumors made them sound like lunatics, such as the one where their mutual hatred had them attempting to dose each other with Draught of Living Death. One Hufflepuff 3rd year was overheard saying, "Why do you think they're both always in the hospital wing? They're trying to kill each other, of course! It's the perfect place to slip someone a potion or recover from one." Harry held in a snorting laugh, finding it ironic someone thought he could brew that particular potion, especially after being ridiculed by Snape over its ingredients in the first Potions class of 1st year.
Other rumors were less nefarious, like the one about them secretly dating despite the intense weight of the centuries-old Gryffindor/Slytherin house rivalry. On his way to lunch Harry heard a group of 5th year Ravenclaw witches gushing over this specific romance-themed rumor. One girl gushed, "It's so incredibly romantic! They're risking everything for their forbidden love. Just like Romeo and Juliet. I wonder if they'll try to elope!" Another one witch rolled her eyes as she replied, "It is, but Romeo and Juliet also killed themselves. I don't suppose Potter and Greengrass are trying to do that." A third girl responded, "But maybe they are trying to kill each other…"
Harry agreed with the second Ravenclaw and scoffed at the idea of being Romeo and Juliet. He had too many enemies as it was and didn't need to add himself to his list of potential killers. However, he couldn't help but smile at the thought of someone - anyone - fancying him. Harry never forgot the image in the Mirror of Erised of his family and the longing to be loved that the mirror planted in him. He pictured an unknown face smiling brilliantly at him and then walking hand in hand together on a beautiful spring day. Suddenly the smiling face became Daphne Greengrass, which was a pleasing thought, but prompted him to say out loud to no one, "Where did that come from?" Hermione gave him a questioning look and he shook her off while saying, "I'm fine. Just thinking about stuff"
He wasn't fine and it was all actually too much. The previous school year during the Heir of Slytherin fiasco had been more intense than today, but it had basically all been the same rumor. Not to mention that the Slytherins hadn't been as unrelenting in their abuse due to the mix of fear and respect for Harry potentially being the Heir of Slytherin. Today the rumors were more varied and embarrassing, and the Slytherins had been merciless with him. The Slytherins were mad at him irrespective of which rumor they heard. Some were angry that the "son of a Mudblood" purportedly had a romantic relationship with a pure-blood Slytherin witch whose family was part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. Harry heard the term "Mudblood" more times that day than he could count. All the insults directed at his mother had repeatedly pushed him towards the edge and, in turn, his Gryffindor bodyguards had to repeatedly calm him down.
The most surprising part was explaining himself to all the Gryffindors that were perturbed over his apparent association with a Slytherin. More than one had called him a traitor. He had to deny the rumors at least a half dozen times and nitwits like Cormac McLaggen didn't believe him and made it worse. Harry furrowed his brow imagining what he wanted to do to McLaggen, who had already offended his Quidditch teammates as well.
"Harry, Harry!" Hermione said sternly, which pulled him from his angry thoughts. "Stop brooding. Lunch is over and it's time to go to DADA."
"Yeah, mate, Hermione's been trying to get your attention for two minutes. Come on, the twins are going to walk us there," Ron said motioning towards the pair of pranksters.
Harry groaned, but stood to go anyway. He normally loved DADA with Professor Lupin, but today felt like a good day to stay in his four poster bed. Harry looked at Hermione, who gave an encouraging nod, then he took a deep breath to clear his mind and stopped slouching. It helped, but only a little. Harry knew what going to DADA meant - class with the Slytherins and Daphne Greengrass, which is something he was completely unprepared for.
Fred startled Harry as he sidled up to him and put his arm around Harry's shoulder, then cheekily said, "Well if it isn't our lord and savior, Mr. Hadrian Jameson Pots and Pans the Fourth."
Harry heard snickers from other Gryffindors who had heard the absurd name Fred had created.
George sidled up on the other side, grabbed Harry's other shoulder, and began walking towards the Great Hall exit. "Harry, you're looking rather glum and we're just the two people to cheer you up," he said in a fun-loving way.
A dispirited Harry replied, "No, it's fine, mate. I just want…to get to class and get this day over with. It's been rubbish." Harry slumped his shoulders as they exited the Great Hall and entered the corridor.
Ron and Hermione, who were walking behind them, gave each other worried looks.
The twins made eye contact over Harry's head after his cheerless reply. That wasn't the answer they wanted to hear at all. They had a silent 5 second conversation full of head gestures and eye movements to determine what they would do for their Seeker. George then squared up to face Harry and grabbed him by both shoulders. "Harry, look at Malfoy up ahead," he said as he tilted his head in the direction of the staircases. George continued in a sympathetic tone, "Would it make you feel better if we pranked that codpiece?"
Hermione said, "Could you just leave it, boys?" Nobody replied to her.
Harry looked down the corridor at Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson walking together. Though he cared very little for the pair of Slytherins, he was about to say that the pranking wouldn't help, but abruptly stopped his reply. He was positive he heard the names 'Potter' and 'Greengrass' come out of Malfoy's mouth. Harry was then filled with the intense desire to find out what they were saying about Daphne and him.
With an odd glint in his eyes, Harry hurriedly replied, "No pranking, but wait here a minute. All of you. I'll be right back." Harry then ducked behind a suit of armor and covered himself with his invisibility cloak.
George leaned to Fred and said, "Looks like young Harrikins was visited by a muse and wants to work solo. I typically recommend more planning and a good partner, but Harry's been known to do good work."
"I approve of his methods wholeheartedly. After all, a good partner's hard to find and I'm still looking," Fred responded. He kept a straight face, except for a wink at Hermione, who simply rolled her eyes and instead attempted to get an invisible Harry's attention.
Harry heard a loud "Oi!" from George intermingled with Hermione calling out his name, but he chose not to ignore her while he had his invisibility cloak on. Ron touched her shoulder and shook his head before she could try to get Harry's attention again.
Harry walked quickly under the invisibility cloak, staying close to the wall to avoid student traffic, until he was 10 feet behind Malfoy and Parkinson. He closed to within 5 feet of them and kept the pace to maintain the perfect distance to both eavesdrop and avoid detection.
Pansy Parkinson was mid-sentence when Harry caught up. "...never noticed. I really can't believe Daphne is mixed up with Potter. We're not close friends by any means, but we are roommates and thought she would have shared the gossip. That's what roommates do!"
Harry sensed a tinge of hurt feelings in Pansy's complaint, but was not in the mindset to laugh.
Draco Malfoy heatedly answered with bravado, "Potter better stay away from her if he knows what's good for him! Greengrass could have at least fancied a Ravenclaw, but instead she sullied herself with a Gryffindor half-blood. I'll show him tomorrow during the match!"
Pansy rolled her eyes at Draco's bluster and Quidditch prediction and refocused the conversation. "Doesn't she know this is bad for her reputation? She's being selfish and should be more considerate of her family."
Draco harrumphed and set off with a trademark haughty reply. "Father says the Greengrasses have always been different. Goes with their cowardly and traitorous neutrality stance. They aren't blood traitors, but they're close." Draco looked around for eavesdroppers before continuing his lecture, more quietly but no less arrogantly, "Apparently, her mother's family is the same. Father said he stopped courting her mother when they were in 6th year because her family didn't follow all of the Old Ways. Looks like Greengrass is the same…and now she is slumming with a half-blood. The shame. I'm just glad my mother is a Black."
Pansy shook her head and glared at Draco for his stance on witches. She retorted, "No, Draco, Daphne's alright. She's peculiar and doesn't have many friends, but she's alright aside from this whole Potter business."
"Peculiar?! What kind of Slytherin has a sister in Hufflepuff!" Draco whinged red-faced in the style of Vernon Dursley.
With the unofficial trio at the foot of the moving stairs, Harry decided he had heard enough and fast-walked back to the entourage he had left behind. He slipped behind the same suit of armor to remove his invisibility cloak and rejoined his friends.
"Have a productive mission, Wary Harry?" Fred asked with a smirk.
Hermione huffed at Fred's casual behavior. "Don't encourage him!"
Harry looked between the two and shrugged. "Eh, not much. Malfoy's still a git. His dad dated Daphne's mom when they were in school together, but he dumped her because she didn't act enough like a Pureblood. Seems like being awful is passed by blood, too," he said bitterly.
"Oh that's a juicy tidbit. Say, Harry, do you think we could borrow certain items of yours this evening? You would be doing us a favor," George asked hopefully.
Hermione cleared her throat to interrupt the conversation and save Harry from the pressure to lend his invisibility cloak. "Let's walk or we'll be late to class," Hermione commented.
Harry nodded and everyone began walking. His group chatted idly, but he tuned out the conversation. He was uncomfortable lending his invisibility cloak, but Fred and George were some of the few people Harry truly trusted. However, he was still trying to figure out his Daphne Greengrass situation. After a couple minutes of contemplating the request, Harry answered, "George, maybe. I might need it tonight."
Hermione and Ron both gave Harry calculating looks, but didn't say anything out loud to avoid causing him more stress.
The group continued walking and talking until they were near the DADA classroom.
"We'll pick you up after your defense class, Harrikins," George Weasley said with a small bow.
"Hardly, Brother. Our Gryffindor stud does the picking up around this castle," Fred said with a toothy grin.
George shouldered his brother and made a retching sound. "Just awful. Gred, that proves I'm the better twin. Leave the jokes to me."
Fred gave his twin a faux scowl as they walked away arguing with one another, continuing their long running disagreement about who was the better twin.
The momentary diversion provided by the Weasley twins was over. This was it - the moment of truth. Defense class with the Slytherins where Harry would be facing Daphne Greengrass for the first time. Harry's heart felt as though it would beat out of his chest. He, Hermione, and Ron walked the rest of the way to class. It was just after lunch and he didn't know if his discomfort was due more to his light lunch or tight nerves. He was relieved that Daphne wasn't waiting in the corridor when he arrived, but the door was also closed, which prevented him from hiding in a corner seat in the classroom.
"Hermione, what do you know about the Greengrass family?" Harry asked. It had finally struck him that he needed to learn more about Daphne Greengrass.
"Not much. They're a prominent old pure-blood family, very private, and own a company specializing in potions and ingredients," she said, rattling off facts like a machine.
Harry leaned against the wall. Hermione's 'not much' was loads more than he knew about the Greengrasses. He was in his own head working through his thoughts and softly knocking the back of his head against the stone wall trying to tune out all the distractions: Ron and Hermione's heated discussion about how to help him with his 'Daphne Dilemma', the other students not so quietly gossiping about him, and the stream of disparaging remarks about Daphne Greengrass. Thus far he had completely failed at figuring out how to approach his partner in rumors without people noticing them together or, even more importantly, how to apologize to the witch in question without being a gormless pillock. He wished there was a charm or potion that could help improve his luck with this endeavor. Harry shook his head at the irony that the person he had offended could probably help him find or brew such a potion.
The sound of people approaching broke Harry out of his musings. Daphne then arrived with Tracey Davis and Blaise Zabini. Harry and Daphne made eye contact for the briefest moment as she moved to the Slytherin side of the corridor to wait for the door to be unlocked. Everyone was staring at them to see what would happen, but were disappointed at the anticlimactic encounter.
Lavender Brown grumbled and could be heard whining to Parvati Patil, "For Merlin's sake. That's all we get after all the juicy rumors today?"
Noticing a scowl from Harry, Parvati shushed her and whispered, "He's looking at us. Be patient. There's plenty of time yet for a good show."
From Harry's perspective, the moment was an eternity as he saw multiple emotions pass over Daphne's face before she sucked in a breath and put on a stoic expression. He noticed she had a koala-patterned bandage on her wrist poking out from under her robe sleeve. Harry couldn't help but look away in shame; he'd forgotten people went to the hospital wing for a reason. His guilt increased knowing that he had insulted someone who was already feeling vulnerable.
He looked at his shoes and sighed. "This is torture. I just need to apologize," Harry said almost inaudibly to himself.
Professor Remus Lupin arrived from lunch and noticed his 3rd year Defense students were unnaturally quiet, especially for a mixed group of Gryffindors and Slytherins the day prior to a Quidditch match. He also noticed heads were swiveling back and forth between his best friend's son and his counterpart in the rumors that were sweeping the castle and distracting the students. While he loved being back at Hogwarts, he certainly didn't miss the teen drama, though he did remember fondly all the times that Sirius and James had been smacked by witches.
"Good afternoon, class. I take it you had a good lunch," he said as he deactivated the runes that locked the Defense classroom. Remus opened the door outward and stepped aside to let students enter, but none moved from their place.
Remus raised an eyebrow and said somewhat cheekily, "Are you planning to come to class today or should I release the boggart in the corridor to get you inside?" He nodded encouragingly as they immediately began moving toward the classroom door. "That's it - on you go."
Pansy and Millicent Bulstrode walked past Daphne to enter the classroom. Pansy hadn't missed the eye contact between the two hottest subjects of Hogwarts gossip and whispered to Daphne disdainfully as she passed, "You're a fool to get roped in with that half-blood Potter, Daphne."
Daphne rolled her eyes dismissively. She had been constantly pestered all day by other students, especially fellow Slytherins, and was at her wit's end. "Mind your business, Pansy," she replied sharply.
As she followed her roommates into class, Daphne thought she saw a mild flash of annoyance directed by Millicent at Pansy as they walked away. Millicent then glanced back at Daphne with a sympathetic expression and gave her a small smile. Daphne nodded her thanks in return and followed them into the DADA classroom.
Tracey walked behind Daphne and breathed out, "Oh Merlin. The awkwardness in the corridor was stifling. How are you, Daph?"
Daphne turned back to Tracey and Blaise and said with a frown, "Let's sit somewhere else today." They nodded their agreement and Daphne made her way to a back corner. Normally they sat in the middle, not far away from where Harry and his friends would sit.
"Looks like Potter had the same idea as you, Daphne. You're already thinking alike," Blaise teased with a smirk.
She subtly looked around and spotted Potter in the opposite back corner of the semi-circular arrangement. Daphne gave Blaise a dirty look. "Har har, Blaise. I suggest you keep your comments to yourself. This is the wrong class in which to make that joke. Who knows which fool might take you seriously."
Meanwhile, Harry was relieved to see Daphne sitting in the opposite corner. They sometimes sat a few seats from one another in the center. Daphne's group was a buffer between the Gryffindors and Slytherins, but not today. Harry didn't want any part of adding to the rumors that were in circulation, though he knew it was futile.
As he waited for class to begin, Harry sat in a daze racking his brain to figure out how to privately apologize to Daphne. He lamented the fact that he couldn't simply walk up to her. That's what normal students were allowed to do. Harry silently cursed the suffocating house rivalries and the relentless rumors that put Daphne and him together in dozens of scenarios. He would probably find some of them funny if he weren't the subject. What Harry didn't know is that he was unintelligibly muttering to himself about all these thoughts running through his head.
Professor Lupin glanced at Harry, who didn't notice the look, then began class. "Now that you are settled, let's begin. Today we will be learning about defensive applications of the Seize & Pull charm. You should have already learned the basics in Charms class from Professor Flitwick a few weeks ago. As a friendly reminder, the incantation is Carpe Retractum and it is paired with a V-shaped wand movement."
Ron noticed Professor Lupin's glances and quietly nudged Harry, "Mate, I know you're frustrated, but you need to quiet down. The professor keeps looking over here."
Harry didn't hear Ron and dumbly responded with, "Huh?"
Remus cleared his throat before continuing, "As I was saying, it requires a V-shaped wand movement. This charm can be used on inanimate objects, creatures, and even people. Do be careful though, since you are basically attaching yourself to whatever or whomever you cast at and thus inviting the forces of physics into the equation. The spell will also provide you the foundation to eventually perform similar spells with water, fire, or conjured objects such as ropes and chains."
An agitated Hermione nudged him harder from the other side. "Shh, I can't concentrate on Professor Lupin with your muttering and complaining, Harry. Pay attention and just talk later. It's not difficult," she commanded in a low growl.
Oh no, he was talking out loud. Fortunately, Hermione's comment spurred a sudden realization: just talk, it's not difficult. He slapped his desk in excitement, which drew the attention from those nearby. The rumors gave him the cover to approach Daphne because everyone already assumed they were talking to each other. This was unexpected, easy, and brilliant! Now the only question was when to do it.
An excited Harry quietly apologized, "Sorry, Hermione. You're brilliant, you know. I know what to do now. The rumors allow me to talk to her."
"Shut it, Harry," an annoyed Hermione replied between gritted teeth, completely ignoring what he was saying.
"Sure. Don't mind me," he muttered in reply. Harry knew Hermione took her studies more seriously than anyone, but he was nonetheless displeased at her curt reaction.
Professor Lupin gave Harry another exasperated look and coughed again. Harry kept disrupting class and Remus was giving him lots of chances to behave without taking away points. Remus had seen great promise in his friends' son during private Patronus practice and he was hoping Harry would behave during the practical portion of the lesson in order to continue improving his casting ability.
"Now, since this is DADA you will be practicing by casting at and defending against a partner today," Remus announced. He was about to say that they could choose their partner, but was then inspired by some mischief. Looking at Harry, he said, "Mr. Potter, let's split you up from Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley so that you're less distracted. Please pair up with…with Miss Greengrass."
The class gave a collective gasp.
Lavender squealed gleefully to Parvati. "This is it! It's happening!"
Harry gaped at Professor Lupin with a small sense of betrayal at his favorite teacher. He could swear that the older man had a smirk on his face when he announced the pairing. What Harry had yet to discover was that Remus Lupin was the Marauder named Moony from the map and Remus Lupin had just pulled a prank on him for disturbing the day's lesson too many times. Harry stood and slowly trudged over to the far end of the open section of the room where the class practiced spells.
Loud whispers buzzed in the room as everyone sat in eager anticipation looking back and forth between the two of them.
Daphne couldn't believe Professor Lupin had done that. He was normally very nice to her, but now he had a bemused look on his face. Prankster. Saboteur. She sat dumbfounded until Tracey poked her shoulder. "Remember that I fully support you, but it's time to go practice tying up your boyfriend, Daphne dear," she said while batting her eyes at Daphne.
Daphne stood while glaring at her best friend and said threateningly, "You better protect your trunk tonight, Tracey dear." Leaving behind Tracey's muffled laughter, Daphne silently walked toward Harry with as much grace and dignity as she could muster in the moment. She noticed Potter's nervous nod to her as she approached.
Professor Lupin could be heard saying, "Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, you're together, and line up next to Mr. Potter and Miss Greengrass," but Daphne tuned it out as she focused on Harry Potter.
"No funny business, Potter," she whispered dangerously.
Harry gulped. "Wouldn't dream of it," he said, an octave higher than he normally spoke. He caught Hermione's eye, who stood diagonally from him next to Daphne, and gave her a panicked expression. He was happy his group was closest to the wall with Ron and Hermione lined up next to him, which created a buffer from the rest of the class.
Daphne noticed his exchange with Granger. He seems to feel bad and is frightened of me. Good.
Professor Lupin allowed everyone else to choose their own partners. Both Harry and Daphne were annoyed at their Defense professor, especially as he was giving the rest of the instructions.
"Now that you've all chosen your partner, please start about 15 feet apart," Remus said smugly (in Harry and Daphne's opinions). "No dodging or blocking in the first few tries as you get used to casting the spell on a person. Don't forget, the spell is Carpe Retractum with a V-shaped wand movement," he demonstrated while casting the spell at a cabinet. "One more important thing to remember. To end the spell, simply use the standard Finite Incantatem. You may now begin."
Harry nervously said to Daphne, "Ladies first, Daphne."
"Charming," she replied sarcastically.
Harry frowned at her in annoyance. He would need to break through her hostility somehow. Apologizing would never work otherwise. He still didn't know how to even broach the subject.
As for their spellwork, neither was able to produce the charm on their first attempt. Both were too distracted to properly cast the spell.
On her second attempt, Daphne got Harry around his left knee causing him to stumble a bit when she tugged at the magical connection.
"Careful, Potter. You've got Quidditch tomorrow," Daphne said with a vindictive smile. Maybe this exercise would be a nice way to relieve the stress caused by the wizard across from her without hurting him.
"Yeah, thanks. Let's not prove the rumors true," Harry muttered with an annoyed frown. He didn't think she would purposely injure him, but he wouldn't blame her either after all the insults and unnecessary drama he had caused her. Harry failed to notice Daphne scowling at him for his sarcastic comment.
On his second attempt, Harry managed to cast a much better spell, which got his DADA partner around the waist and solicited a tiny yelp. In his annoyance at Daphne, he pulled harder than she expected. Unfortunately, she truly was a little clumsy and was not always acting during her attempts to play up being injury-prone as a cover for her project. Her lack of grace as a dancer manifested itself at a poor time as she tripped on her own feet, which combined with Harry's strong tug propelled her forward towards him.
On instinct, Harry stepped forward to catch her, but underestimated the force of the object coming at him. He was still somewhat scrawny with Daphne being slightly taller than Harry. Thus the impact knocked Harry backward and they fell together with Harry on his back and Daphne landing on top of him face to face.
"Oh, this is perfect!" Lavender yelled, which yielded barely restrained laughter from most of the rest of the class, regardless of their house affiliation.
It all happened so quickly that it took the two students on the ground a few moments to process what had occurred.
Based on her red cheeks, Daphne was the first to recover from the embarrassing fall and was quite displeased at Harry. "Ugh, Potter! I told you no funny business!" she shrieked as she pushed herself off Harry and got to her feet. Tracey would later tell her that she had never heard Daphne yell that loudly, nor seen her so red-faced.
Harry was about to defend himself just as he did the previous evening after getting knocked out of the hospital bed by Daphne. However, to avoid further escalation of hostilities, Harry wisely chose to apologize instead, since that's what had been on his mind all day. He slowly pushed himself up to a sitting position and while putting on his glasses said, "Daphne, I'm sorry for all that. It was an accident." When Harry finally got on his feet and got a clear look at her expression, he couldn't help but defend himself a bit by quietly adding, "I even tried to catch you."
"Sure you did," she said dismissively. She was still feeling hurt about the whole ordeal and all the gossip about her. "Potter, you're —- nevermind," Daphne cut herself off before finishing the harsh remark she had been prepared to make, not wanting to continue the show for an audience. She enjoyed her privacy and all this had become too public. Besides, Potter looked too earnest to be lying and he really had tried to keep her from falling.
Professor Lupin deftly diffused the situation. "Okay, everyone. Enough gawking. Time to continue practicing."
Harry and Daphne resumed practicing and cast spells back and forth in silence, aside from saying the incantation.
The tension got to be too much and Harry spoke up just before the Slytherin witch cast her next spell. "You know, it really was an accident and I really am sorry for knocking you down, Daphne," he said with a touch of vulnerability.
She snapped her eyes up to his face as she finished incanting and the spell veered off course over Harry's shoulder. Daphne gave him a sideways look trying to gauge his intent. Harry Potter was not trying to be deceitful and she decided to accept what he was saying. She breathed deeply and replied with a simple, "All right."
Sensing an opening, Harry continued down the same tract. "Erm, that's not all. I was hoping to apologize for everything else. Could we meet after dinner?" He was baffled by what had come out of his mouth and had no clue he was going to make the suggestion when he began speaking. Gryffindor, is all his internal monologue provided in return.
Daphne said nothing at first and cast again to buy time as she processed what Potter had just asked. She was stunned at the request, but had no reason not to accept. "That's fine," she said flatly.
Harry was somewhat surprised that she accepted and verbalized his emotions. "You will? I mean, where do you want to meet?"
Daphne suppressed a smirk and focused on delivering clear instructions. "I'll give you a sign at dinner tonight and then I'll leave. Wait 5 minutes before following. We'll meet in parlor 1 off the entrance hall. If that's occupied by someone else, then go to parlor 2."
"That's…that's great. Brilliant. Thanks." Harry was stunned. Making the request had been so easy. He was regretting not doing this sooner in the day.
Daphne let her smirk come through after Harry Potter's dazed reply and she playfully mocked him a bit responding in a similar speech pattern. "Good. Dinner. Apology."
Hermione stared at Harry with wide eyes as she digested the conversation transpiring next to her. She then gave Harry a soft smile and a nod of approval.
